The PNF-404 Phylogenetic Tree
A bit of a different post from the usual, as I have been very hyped for Pikmin 4! Here's my speculative phylogenetic tree for most of the creatures in the Pikmin series. It is a bit more cautious than an actual phylogenetic tree, so there are a lot of soft polytomies (ideally every branch split should only have two children), but I digress.
It seems that Tumblr's compression did some nasty work on my post, so I'm gonna leave here a link to my phylogenetic tree in case anyone would like to see it in its full glory.
Here are also all the notes on the image in case anyone needs those too:
Updated as of the Pikmin 4 Demo.
Icons taken from the Pikipedia and Pikmin games.
Fonts used are “Pikmin Font” by TheAdorableOshawott and “Dimbo” by Jayvee Enaguas.
Species with multiple scientific names
The Red Bulborb, Empress Bulblax and Bulborb Larvae are all explicitly different forms of the same species, as is the case in their Japanese technical name.
The Spotty Bulbear and Dwarf Bulbear are both explicitly different forms of the same species, as is the case in their Japanese technical name.
The Baldy Long Legs and Hairy Long Legs are explicitly stated to be the same species.
The Centipare and adult Centipare have completely different scientific name and family.
Incorrect scientific name (according to Japanese family name)
Despite being in the Breadbug family, the Fiery Dwarf Bulblax, has the Oculus genus instead of Pansarus. This is corrected here.
Despite not being in the Blowhog family, the Tusked Blowhog shares its Sus genus.
Despite not being in the Mandiblards family, the Shooting Spiner shares its Himeagea genus.
Despite not being in the Flint Beetle family, the Glint Beetle shares its Pilli genus.
The Floaterbie family is supposed to be the same family as the Flutterbie family in the original Japanese.
The Crysanthemum family is considered the same as the Dandelion family in the original Japanese.
Changes due to assumed consistency
All Wollyhop names have been updated to match the Wolpole's European name, which was standardized in Pikmin 4.
Similarly, All mentions of the “frodendum" specific name have been updated to match Wolpole's frondiferorum name in Pikmin 4.
The Red Spectralid has a different genus (Fenestrati) than every other Spectralid. This is likely a mistake is corrected here.
Despite not all Candypop Buds being present in the Pikmin 4 Demo, it is assumed they are all now considered the same species in the Piklopedia.
Scientific name in the wrong order
The Fiery Young Yellow Wollyhop has its “volcanus" subspecies name incorrectly placed in front of its scientific name. This is corrected here.
The Queen Shearwig, Speargrub and Sheargrub all have their genus incorrectly placed as their specific name. This is corrected here.
Incorrect use of real taxonomy terms
The genus Chilopoda of the Centipare is actually the real world class of the centipedes.
The genus Stauromedusae of the Medusal Slurker is actually a real world order of cnidarians.
The specific name phytohabitans of the Leech Hydroe is actually a real world genus of bacteria.
The genus of the Common Glowcap is actually the real world kingdom of fungi.
Inconsistencies within English localizations
The Coppeler has the Scarpanica genus added in the American localization.
The Armurk has different scientific names: Tegoparastacoidea reptantia (US) and Scalobita rotunda (EU).
The Caustic Dweevil was renamed to Hydro Dweevil and its scientific name to Mandarachnia aquadis in the Switch port of Pikmin 2.
Although the Puffstool has no confirmed family, it shares a genus with the Puffstalk, implying they are likely related.
Missing creatures: Mamuta, Smoky Progg, Blubbug, Puffy Blubbug, Electric Cottonade, Red Blubblimp, Seedbagger, Stuffed Bellbloom.
Unplaceable creatures (extradimensional and/or possibly entirely artificial life forms): Waterwraith, Plasm Wraith.
